Arsene Wenger: 'Liverpool clash is very important'

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has refused to play down the importance of Monday's Premier League clash at home to Liverpool.

The Gunners were beaten 2-0 by West Ham United on the opening weekend of the season, which has already left them playing catch-up to the likes of Manchester United and Manchester City.

Wenger has insisted that the clash will not decide their title chances, but has admitted that it is a "very important" fixture, even at this stage of the campaign.

"This is a very important game where the result will of course be vital. It's not a result that will decide [our title chances] but in our heads we know it's very important," Wenger told reporters.

Arsenal have lost just one of their last eight meetings with Liverpool.